How To Get Into Sports As An Adult

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recommends that adults over the age of 18 get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days per week. If you're finding it difficult to get to the gym, playing organized sports helps you change your workout routine while getting the exercise you need -- with the added benefit and motivation of competition. Choose from a variety of sports and organizations to select the one best for you and your schedule.

Step 1

Inquire about various sports organizations with your city's parks and recreation department. Some cities offer organized sports that are tracked and arranged by the city, while other organizations are run by individuals or other programs. Ask for a catalog of all the available sports to help you make a more informed choice.

Step 2

Read through the options and choose the sport that's best for you and your level of physical activity. Common sports include soccer, baseball and softball, football, hockey and basketball. Some sports have official rules and organizations, while other teams play on more of a pickup schedule. Choose a sport that has a manageable schedule that complements your own so that playing sports doesn't cause you added stress.

Step 3

Register with the parks and recreation department or the organization in charge of the sport you're interested in playing. If there isn't currently an organized league, ask the parks and recreation department about organizing your own or getting a group of friends together to play.

Step 4

Purchase and gather the proper safety equipment necessary for the type of sport you've registered for or organized. Even adults need to wear the proper padding, mouth guards and gear to play the sport safely.

Step 5

Condition your body before playing by stretching your major muscle groups and participating in a warmup that includes a low-impact walk or slow jog to prepare your muscles and ligaments for sports. Even if you played sports as a child, your body has changed and aged. Ensure that you protect yourself before, during and after games.

Step 6

Attend practices and clinics to help ready your body for competition. Practices are vital for you to get to know your team better as well as condition your body and learn new skills applicable on the field or court. Clinics held by local organizations give you a chance to work on specific skills to become a more proficient player. Your weekly practices and practicing on your own at home helps fulfill the 30 minutes of exercise recommended each day.

Step 7

Focus on conditioning your body for the sport, not just the specific skills you need to become proficient. For instance, a soccer player needs to know how to maneuver and pass the ball, but he also needs to have endurance for running up and down the field. A basketball player needs to work on his shooting, but jumping is also a concern. Complete drills and individual practices on a daily basis both to fulfill your daily exercise requirements and become a well-rounded, valuable player.

Step 8

Play a sport for a season and evaluate your interest. Dropping out midseason disappoints your teammates, so it's vital you try a sport for the entire season before you decide whether to continue. In some cases, an individual sport such as running or karate works better for your schedule or another team sport fulfills your physical activity needs more fully.